If you need help studying for the GACE Special Education General Curriculum test or just want some more information about what the test is like, you’ve come to the right place!
Click below to take a free GACE Special Education General Curriculum practice test!
What’s on the Test?
The GACE Special Education General Curriculum test contains 130 multiple-choice questions and is timed at 4 hours.
The exam is split into two subtests, which are taken in separate testing sessions (but can be taken on the same day if you’d like).
SUBTEST I (081)
65 questions | 2 hours
Planning the Learning Environment and Social Interactions (52%)
- Elements and characteristics of lesson plans
- Developing learning objectives that are appropriate and measurable
- Providing access to the curriculum
- Organizing the learning environment
- Practice of effective classroom management
- Designing and maintaining a sage and supportive classroom environment
- Basic health, nutrition, and safety management procedures
Instruction (48%)
- Instructional strategies and techniques
- Grouping formats that promote academic success
- Facilitating the maintenance and generalization of concepts learned across settings
- Facilitating the generalization of concepts learned across curricula
- Implementing interventions for individual students
- Developing and evaluating appropriate materials, equipment, and environments
- Using technology to support instruction
- Knowledge of transitions and transition planning
SUBTEST II (082)
65 questions | 2 hours
Development and Characteristics of Learners (38%)
- Human development and behavior
- Theoretical approaches to student learning and motivation
- Basic characteristics of each of the major disability categories
- The impact of disabilities on individuals, families, and society
- The effect of language, cultural, and gender differences on the identification process
- Co-occurring conditions
- The contribution of family systems to the development of an individual with a disability
- Influences that may have an effect on the development of an individual with a disability
Assessment (30%)
- Effective and appropriate assessments
- Definitions and uses of various assessments
- Interpreting a variety of assessment data
- Using the results of assessments
Foundations and Professional Responsibilities (32%)
- Federal definitions and requirements for the referral and identification process
- Federal safeguards of the rights of stakeholders
- Components of a legally defensible IEP
- Major legislation that affects the field of special education
- The roles and responsibilities of the special education teacher
- Strengths and limitations of various collaborative approaches within the general classroom and special education classroom
- Communicating the progress of students
- Identifying potential bias that may impact teaching and interactions with students and their families
How to Register
To get started with the registration process, you’ll need to create a MyPSC account on the GaPSC website. You should receive a Georgia Certification ID (GA CERT ID) during this process, which you’ll use for identification throughout the registration and testing process.
The next step is to create an ETS GACE testing account on the ETS website. This account will allow you to register for the exam and pay the testing fee(s). If you take each subtest separately, the fee is $123 for each subtest. If you take both subtests together, the fee is $193.
GACE Special Education General Curriculum Study Guide and Flashcards
Get practice questions, detailed study lessons, and complex subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts.
How the Exam is Scored
The GACE Special Education General Curriculum test is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. You’ll need a scaled score of at least 200 on the multiple-choice questions to pass the exam.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone that takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
Passing Scores
There are two passing levels for this exam: induction and professional. Each level has its own minimum passing score requirements:
- Induction Level: 220-249
- Professional Level: 250
Here’s something to keep in mind: You have to pass at the professional level on BOTH subtests in order for your final exam scores to count at the professional level. If you only pass at the induction level on one of the subtests, your final exam score will only count at the induction level.
Retaking the Exam
If you don’t get the score you want on your first try, that’s okay! You can take the exam again after a mandatory 30-day waiting period.
FAQs
How many questions are on the GACE Special Education General Curriculum exam?
The exam contains 130 questions.
What is the time limit for the GACE Special Education General Curriculum exam?
The exam is timed at 4 hours.
What is the passing score for the GACE Special Education General Curriculum exam?
You’ll have to get a minimum scaled score of 220 to pass the exam (250 to pass at the professional level).
How much does the GACE Special Education General Curriculum exam cost?
The exam fee is $123 per subtest (or $193 for the combined version).